DTD Blog - Rob Yong

[robyong]

This thread replaces my old diary. Please feel to ask me any questions on DTD here.

I've been to the club today, I visit the premises at least once per week. There is still some snagging to do and I'm not too sure about the poker table and chair colours that our designer has chosen, but Nick told me they are already ordered when I moaned, so I guess I'll have to like it or lump it. We have 2 different "cycodelic" colours and the chairs are all going to mixed in, I think our designer wants DTD to look a bit "hip", versus the tradional card room look.

DTD staff have now fully reloated from above my pub to new offices on Pheonix Park, next door the sf group offices. We have 45 desks and even a canteen area, its a bit bigger than we need, but the DTD staff are appreciating the air conditioning, my only concern is that the sales in the pub may go down as DTD staff were good for at least £200 per week!

Michelle Hill, ex Marketing Manaager at sf group has moved over to work at DTD, and Lindsey Raven has joined as Financial Controller, she is also ex sf group. Rather than recruit new staff for DTD, I have chosen to move accross some of my trusted employees at sf group and replace them in that business (which is easier to do as it is already set up and has procedures/policies in place). Even though there is uncertainly over the future of DTD, I will not stop developing the organisation.

The main news on the hearing is that I have made the following offer in writing last week to the 3 objectors, London Clubs, Stanleys & Gala Casinos (through their lawyers of course)

Dear Sirs
 
I confirm that Dusk till Dawn Limited would be prepared to agree and sign a legally binding document with London Clubs International, Stanley Casinos Limited and Gala Coral Group Limited.   

The agreement would prohibit Dusk till Dawn offering Casino games to its members and guests and would also bind any future owners of the poker club.   

The agreement would provide for damages should there be any breach.   

Dusk Till Dawn Ltd would be prepared to sign such an agreement subject to the agreement being accepted by all three objectors.
 
I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely

Robert Yong


The possibility of this happening is already zero. Although London Clubs agreed to it (genuine thanks to them), Gala Casinos ingored it, and Stanley Casinos wrote back declining my offer. This shows us that the casinos concern over us having table games is not the reason why they are opposing the club, it about poker being conducted outside of a casino environment, simple as that.

Never mind, I tried my best.

Cheers Rob

[Ecosse]

Absolute disgrace.

I only hope the license hearing goes your way. Best of luck.

Dougie.

[jizzemm]

I have read your post ever since i joined, and I hope to god that the law/courts dont turn out to be an ass, u deserve this and the poker playing public deserve this..

The pictures look good, I cant wait to see the place, will have to make the long journey down when it opens, i'm sure it will be worth it..

Good luck with the case.

[The_duke]

Arrogant SOB's you couldn't like them if u tried (London Clubs were at least big enough to agree).  It stinks of i don't care its my ball and you are not playing with it. Best of luck in your endeavours.....................

[TheChipPrince]

Keep your sanity Rob! You'll get there!

[The_duke]

Just a thought -- I know we all posted our support on the earlier thread -- but is there anywhere where we can write a personal letter of support to ?

[robyong]

Just a thought -- I know we all posted our support on the earlier thread -- but is there anywhere where we can write a personal letter of support to ?

Thanks, but every comment has been put forward as evidence, which the magistrates will see, everyone has done their best, I do not believe there is anything more any of us can do, including me, its down to the courts now, we just have to wait for 5 more weeks, and things will be decided, one way or another. Our evidence is nothing short of overwhelming, I cannot think of any reason why we will not be successful. My letter to the casinos offering to sign the legally binding agreement has also been sent with our evidence, its a cut and dry case.

[The_duke]

lets hope sanity prevails then, if the legal fraternity cant see the tatics of the bullies it's a poor show -- 

[Jim-D]

Mr Rob Yong - You are my hero!!


Got every thing crossed for you mate and cant wait to see this great place in all its glory.


Jim.

[boldie]

Quick question. If LCI accept the offer and you sign an agreement with them wouldn't they then withdraw their objection against the club which means you could get on with things? Or is it too late for that?

[taximan007]

I certainley hope the court looks into the complete background of this case, and realises all the hard work, time and effort put in to trying to get a legitmate business up and running.

I hope its not a case of they feel "dictated" to by the "big boys" and just roll over.

I have never met Mr Yong, in fact all i know about him is what I have read on here, but i feel he has been honest and open with everybody from the word go, and for that i wish him every success for the future.

Many a "lesser man" would have given up long ago with all the problems he has had to face, try and overcome.

Good Luck Rob.

[robyong]

Quick question. If LCI accept the offer and you sign an agreement with them wouldn't they then withdraw their objection against the club which means you could get on with things? Or is it too late for that?

No Boldie, LCI would withdraw their objection BUT Gala and Stanley would still which effectively still means long draw out hearing. 2 or 3 objectors will make little difference unfortunatley. I made the offer to all 3 objectors, so the casinos collectively could be reassured that Dusk Till Dawn would not compete with their "core business" and even if Dusk Till Dawn Club was sold to another casino group (which I have no intention of going) the new owners could not operate blackjack, roulette etc.

It proves that they have a problem with POKER being operated outside of their walls, which I suppose indicates the revenues that they must make on the table games from poker players is significant.

[snoopy1239]

(London Clubs were at least big enough to agree). 

Well, they would, wouldn't they because they're not in Nottingham.

[robyong]

I certainley hope the court looks into the complete background of this case, and realises all the hard work, time and effort put in to trying to get a legitmate business up and running.

I hope its not a case of they feel "dictated" to by the "big boys" and just roll over.

I have never met Mr Yong, in fact all i know about him is what I have read on here, but i feel he has been honest and open with everybody from the word go, and for that i wish him every success for the future.

Many a "lesser man" would have given up long ago with all the problems he has had to face, try and overcome.

Good Luck Rob.

maybe a "shrewder businessman" would have pulled out, but I don't appreciate getting pushed around by faceless greedy corporates who only care about profits, especially on my own doorstep. I have never moved more than 1 mile from where I was born, Nottingham has been good to me, and I will continue to do everything I can to create jobs and work in this city. The casinos expected me to just "crawl away", not a chance.

[robyong]

(London Clubs were at least big enough to agree). 

Well, they would, wouldn't they because they're not in Nottingham.

Snoops, London Clubs are most definatley in Nottingham. See link below

http://www.lcinottinghamcasino.com/pages/index.html